The Perpetual Gift

Anthony has blessed my life in countless ways: he accepts me, loves me, supports/encourages me, created a family with me and he continues to share so much with me. I can't help but to feel grateful and blessed for this man and the life we have built together. I am so thankful! I've been thinking a lot lately of one of the many precious things Anthony has shared with me: his family.

I love the Bissoon family very much and feel their love and acceptance of me (yet another blessing). I am a daughter to Sharon, a sister to Rohana and Mandy (and I believe Sharon too), and I am an Auntie to Dalton and Breana. I must admit that we (Anthony and I) have landed in "in-law heaven" as our families get along quite well (minus a few silly dramas). I have seen faith at work (Sharon); shown true Christian character (Mandy), deeds and words (Rohana). Starting my relationship with God has been made easier with all your support and for this I will be forever appreciative!

They love us so much they even showed up to our wedding... most of them dressed to impress; Sharon however didn't... her clothes were in a laundry basket with her not on time Bissoon husband! Well, needless to say once those clothes arrived my mother had Sharon stripped down and re-dressed in a minute flat (and I'm NOT exaggerating). Let me tell you people, YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO SEE YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW NAKED EVER! (Conley would agree) ESPECIALLY ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, man that should have been a good enough excuse for cold feet, but even a naked mother-in-law wouldn't deter my love for Anthony. Our wedding was perfect, and our union is stronger than ever!

So speaking of love and weddings, I am uber excited for Mandy (my sister in-law) & Mike to be getting married!!! I am over the moon happy that Mandy gets to be a bride and have the wedding and life every little girl dreams of.

I'm fly off the roof top over joyed that I am going to be the Maid of Honour! I've been thinking about our friendship a lot lately and remembering many late night conversations, soul searching, mulling over the quiter times in our friendship, the silly giggles, and the love. I am blessed that we are always able to pick up where we left off and am truely thankful for this. Thank you Mandy.

Anthony has given me a gift that keeps on giving.... thank you Anthony and thank you Bissoon family for sharing your lives with me!

Canadian Smile

Anthony comes home from a hockey game and says (with a serious face) "So do you want the good news or the bad news?", this is a question that gets my attention every time. I generally always reply "Umm, the good news I guess." "We have good insurance", Me: "Ugh, okay... the bad news?" as I look up from the computer.

Anthony smiles and I get it. Must have been a Good Ol' Hockey Game!

After repeatedly asking if he's sure it didn't hurt we set our game plan - an obvious one: to see the dentist first thing in the morning and to inquire about accidental dental insurance with our provider.

The next morning Anthony calls me from the oral surgeon's office to tell me that the top left tooth was removed and that his right upper tooth may be saved depending on if any nerve sensation returns (~ 6 weeks wait). Dental surgery... gross, yuck, ouch and he still went to work after.



About a week later Anthony is working and asks to be excused (pointing to his mouth) as he had a hockey accident and explaining just sort of became customary to him (you'd be surprised how many people stare and make judgements). The lady tells Anthony that her husband is a oral surgeon and that he should leave to go see him right away, that she will call his office to make them aware that he is on his way. Later that day I get a call from "Chiclets" after he had seen Dr. Petty and he tells me that a brace was put across the front remaining teeth to try to stabilize them in hopes of saving them. The other teeth were grinded down to reduce the chance of them breaking while eating and eliminate the "ragged" look.

Anthony returned about 5 weeks later to have the brace removed and was x-rayed again and advised that he would be losing the upper right tooth as well as the break was higher than initially thought. Dr. Petty removed the tooth and put in a titanium screw, and did a bone graft (on the left side) as this was previously discussed, and would allow for dental implants to be added once the healing process is complete... dental surgery isn't cheap people!! That night I told him all I wanted for Christmas was his two front teeth!

So as it sits we're now waiting on our insurance provider to reimburse us (hopefully) the full amount we've spent so far, and to approve the cost of the new implants. Estimated total bill for a Canadian smile a whopping $8000...

Sweet Sweet Barbados

After 13 days in Trinidad we headed to Barbados for a family vacation with Jack. We were able to spend some time with the Zendran family as they also went but stayed in a different hotel.

After 2 weeks of constantly being aware of where we were and what we said/how late we stayed out it was a relief to be in Barbados. We could drink the water and flush our toilet! We could stay out past dark, and didn't have to gate ourselves in, thank God for Barbados.



We had a blast swimming, splashing and laughing in the ocean/pool.






We went for long walks on the beach.








Jack managed not to eat any sand the entire trip!






We feed some monkeys at The Barbardo Wildlife Reserve.

We went to Harrison's Cave.

Took some cool photos.

Got some rest.

MADE MEMORIES!!

3 in Trinidad

Three flights and over 19 hours later (each way) we finally can be called crazy! It's a great undertaking when you are travelling long distance AND with an infant. Long flights, change in time and weather can sometimes get the best of people, but we managed very well. Jack did not want to sit anywhere but VIP on Mama's lap, thus his father was able to rest a bit. Jack was nothing short of the perfect child: no crying, screaming or fussing! People would come off the plane and comment how great he did, some that they didn't even know he was on board. On the way home I recall leaning over to Anthony at one point and saying "I don't know why so many women are making travelling with an infant appear so difficult..."

Reconnecting with family was wonderful but even better was watching them all love up Jack (how could they not LOVE him?). Jack sure did draw a lot of attention, he was "the white baby", or more correctly the "white baby with blue eyes". From shopping, driving, or walking down the street we were always being stopped so everyone could admire him. Jack is a true Trini; he took to curry, doubles and coconut water!

Shelley and Lynn's weddings were both beautiful and we are grateful that we were included to share their special days. The Christian ceremony venue was stunning and was a nice treat to have being so far from home, it also allowed all the Trini's a glimpse of what our "western" weddings are like.

Our Indian wedding experience was fantastic: the tassa drummers, the ceremony, good company/conversation, good food, drinks, and dancing, it was simply amazing. Every time Anthony and I go to a wedding we remember our wedding day, our vows, our love and how much our love has grown over the years and how when we got married we never fully understood just how much fuller our lives would become.